Aston Villa should sacrifice Andre Green and swoop on loan team-mate Matt Clarke

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Aston Villa are vastly improved under the guidance of new boss Dean Smith. It appears they will be in the play-off shake-up come the end of the season. However, transfers in January must be made if that is to be sustained.

One area that needs improvement is at centre-back. At the moment, only James Chester and Axel Tuanzebe are recognised options. Despite apparent moves to bring in veteran James Collins, Aston Villa will need more to be a serious threat.

An option that would be brilliant for Aston Villa is that of Portsmouth defender Matt Clarke.

Last year, he was the Portsmouth player of the season and fully deserved the award. When linked with a move away in the summer, his chief executive made it clear only an ‘astronomical offer’ would see him sold.

However, Aston Villa will have some money to spend and a player Portsmouth might want permanently to help put a deal together.

Andre Green is currently on loan at Fratton Park and after initially struggling with injury is now in great form for Pompey.

Highly-rated by Aston Villa fans his injury record and streaky form do make him expendable. Considering the wealth of wide options Aston Villa now have, swapping him for perhaps the best defender in League One would be a no-brainer when it comes to their promotion hopes.